Leukemia Survivor Rikako Ikee Nearing Past Form in 100 Butterfly at Japanese Olympic Trials
Although there were two finals on the opening night of the Japanese Olympic Trials, the highlight of the evening came from the semifinals of the women’s 100-meter butterfly. It was in that event in which Rikako Ikee clocked 57.03 to grab the top seed for Monday’s final. A two-time Olympian, Ikee is a Leukemia survivor and is as close as she has been to her former top times since her comeback began.
Ikee has been training in Australia with renowned coach Michael Bohl and that work is clearly paying off. She’ll soon have the chance to cement a spot at this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, while also focused on cracking the 57-second barrier for the first time since she was forced to leave the sport to battle her illness.
“Obviously my goal here is to qualify but I want a 56 here just as much,” Ikee said. “I want to compete at my third Olympics of course, but ever since I went to Australia, I feel stronger than ever about wanting to be the best in the world. I want to get through these eight days with that in mind.
“I was saying a 57.3 would be good enough but deep down inside I thought I might do a 56. But today was a good semi-final for a 56 in the next race. I’m trying not to live and die with each swim. Today was a good day but that’s not where my bar is so I’m not going to let up.”
The men’s and women’s 400 freestyles accounted for the only finals on the night, but there were no Paris qualifiers. Japan has set difficult qualifying standards for the summer showcase. In the women’s 400 freestyle, Miyu Namba edged Waka Kobori, 4:06.10 to 4:06.20. On the men’s side, Ikki Omoto went 3:49.69 to fall four seconds off the pace required for Paris.